As someone not especially interested in the romance genre, I was surprised and fascinated by this incredibly well-written debut novel. Leave your prejudice aside, this is first-rate fiction. There's a strong main character, adventure, war, mystery, love, lust, fantasy and a bad guy that could teach a couple of tricks to the most famous of literary baddies.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

jules

2/4/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Brilliant"

Would you consider the audio edition of Outlander to be better than the print version?

I read the books, that is all 8 first, but then decided to listen to them as well. I'm glad I did because I've enjoyed them even more second time around.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love the characters of Jamie and Clare,but there's a strong supporting cast too.

What does Davina Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The narration by davina porter is excellent.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Yvie

1/23/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Not very Scottish"

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

I think anyone NOT Scottish might enjoy this book. The use of Scottish words a bit innacurate and lack of Scottish words for everyday items. For example Scots dont tend to say no we say naw or nay. I found it very difficult to match the geography to my real life experience of Invernesshire. Felt the plot and narrative almost Mills and Boon in unfolding.

What was most disappointing about Diana Gabaldon’s story?

Apparent lack or research into true Scots tounge and use there of. Diane would have done well to have a Scottish proof reader.

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Davina Porter?

Her BBC type accent lent little to the spoken parts. While Davina Porter is an expeirenced narrator the book would have greatly benefited from Scottish actors having the spoken parts instead of her attemps at accents a far cry from any Invernesian accent I've heard.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I did not particilarily like this book and am very dissapointed at the cost incurred in this dissapointment. The only redeeming quality might be link from book one to book two as I would like to find out how Clare got back to her time!! BUT I can wait as I dont want to spend THAT on finding out!!!!

Any additional comments?

DONT BOTHER REALLY. Rather read a Scottish history book about the Jacobite rebellion and the real cost to human life and the betrayal that actually happened. The Scots were robbed of thier clans land because their clan chief stood against the English invasion. All the poor people of Scotland were rewarded by having thier homes burned and being sent away regardless of whether they supported the Jacobites or not. Andy Whightman, The Poor Had No Lawyers for example. Sadly his books not available on audible books or Lesley Riddochs.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Darren Firth

Fife, Scotland

12/10/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Not for men!"

What disappointed you about Outlander?

I so wanted to like this book. My wife raved on about it and my mum had read it over a dozen times! All the ingredients were in place for a great read; time travel, the central characters present day husband related to the antagonist. Unfortunately, the storyline just dragged on, there was so much sex it was boring and Jamie Fraser was way too perfect for my liking!

Has Outlander put you off other books in this genre?

Not time travel novel but this series yes

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

The narration was spot on to be fair

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Outlander?

Every scene with Mr Jamie "Could do no wrong" Fraser in!

Any additional comments?

Nope

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

john

middlesbrough, United Kingdom

11/6/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Long and Boring"

What disappointed you about Outlander?

It was boring and often incredulous.

What was most disappointing about Diana Gabaldon’s story?

The heroine spoke in a way that would not have been understood in the year in which she was supposed to be living. Also, she forgot at times what she had said before, as once she said the poison was arsenic and next it was cyanide.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The only enjoyable scene was the one where her friend was trying to hypnotise her.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Outlander?

I would have cut the book in half. The long love scenes became totally boring. The whole book seemed pointless after a while.

Any additional comments?

I would not listen to any more of this series. It was a huge chore to finish this one. However, it has to be said that the narration was excellent.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

PatM

Marlow UK

11/5/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Upmarket Chic-lit"

I wasn't really sure what to expect from this novel. I did know that this was a historical romance but with a twist, due to the timeslip. I guess I was expecting to read more about the main characters feelings about being thrown back to 18th century life in the Highlands rather than her love-affair with a hulking, ginger Highlander. Surely being cast back to the 18th century must have been a terrifying experience? Even more so in the Scottish Highlands. How did she learn to cope and to adjust?Everything about life there must have been very different, and to everyone else she should have stuck out like a sore thumb, right down to her speech. Instead she adapts to 18th century Highland life without many issues, establishes herself as a physician and gets very hot and steamy with her ginger Highlander. All her differences are dealt with by the Highlanders seemingly pegging her as an upper class English woman and her ability to cope with cold, drafty castles, vermin and questionable hygiene is put down to her having served as a nurse on the front during WWII, therefore being used to rough living without modern conveniences. Ok so I can sort of buy that, and having said all of the above, the novel is actually well written and Davina Porter's narration is superb. I kept on with it as I was very curious to see where it goes and was hoping for some sort of ending that warranted all the hype. Unfortunately the story is unfinished and one must read the next installment to find out what happened. I think if you love the romance genre then this series is a real winner. If you are more interested in the time-travel aspect you will be disappointed.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Ligs

UK

8/20/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"A little long winded"

Well narrated but very detailed and was over long in my view. A strong and detailed sexual content focussing on both good and bad elements, which you need to be comfortable with, to a certain extent, to fully enjoy the book. Got a bit tired of it all to be honest as the book wore on. Good historical context, might be easier to listen to if you are doing something else at the time, but not if you are fully concentrating on the book. I will not be listening to any other book in the Overlander series, or by this author, although I will look up the narrator.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Amazon Customer

East Anglia, UK

7/11/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Enthralling Book! Adventure,Excitement,Sex,History"

Would you consider the audio edition of Outlander to be better than the print version?

Yes, definately better than the print version. I don't have to read the words! Just enjoy the excellent narration bringing to life all the characters.just sit back close my eyes and enjoy!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Favourite character is definately Claire Randall(/Fraser), closely followed by Jamie Fraser, closely followed by just about all the remainder!

What about Davina Porter’s performance did you like?

Davina Porter brought the all the characters to life, no effort was spared, however small a character, I think she must have really enjoyed reading the book! She made Claire perfect for me, very believable as with all the characters, and with regard to all the characters, her accents, pronunciation, etc. was perfect; no grating nuances as can be found with some narrators. Of course she had an easy job of it, it's such a well written believable book even given its fantasy!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, there were a few, in particular, the first was when Claire was being attacked by the red coat officer in his office, that was horribly realistic, then when Gillie gave her own life to save Claire's but the best so far ( I've 6 hours still to listen to ) was when Jamie led Claire to the stones, revealed why he had, and Claire's response to his action! Not saying anymore as I don't want to ruin the book for potential readers!

Any additional comments?

This is by far THE best audio book I've heard to date. A combination of great storytelling and believable characters by the author Diana Gabaldon, together with the expertly unobtrusive narration by Davina Porter. I can't wait to finish this so as I can finish the book, download more in the series with my ten pound voucher and remaining credits from Audible!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Kathryn

7/7/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"The best story ever written"

If you could sum up Outlander in three words, what would they be?

Best Story Ever

What did you like best about this story?

The characters, and the history used to tell the story.

What does Davina Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

She's wonderful, so many different voices.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Jamie & Claire, as amazing love story

Any additional comments?

I have all the audio books, except The Scottish prisoner. I have the book, together with all the others, but it's not been released in Audio.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Amanda

Near Abingdon, United Kingdom

8/6/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"I loved it!"

Was recommended this and, as I always enjoy a good long historical read, went for it. Claire Randall is visiting the highlands of Scotland with her husband after the end of the Second World War. She slips through time when out one day and finds herself back in Jacobite Scotland. Pursued by a psychotic English redcoat captain, she is rescued and has to marry, a handsome (of course!) Scot. They have various adventures but fall in love along the way. I was completely engrossed and will move on to Book 2 very shortly.